Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001]
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No.
16/937,043, filed on
July 23, 2020, which is a division of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/426,057,
filed on May 30, 2019,
which claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/779,689, filed on
December 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/783,752, filed
on December 21, 2018,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/796,830, filed on January 25, 2019,
U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/797,585, filed on January 28, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
62/810,015, filed on February 25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 62/814,412, filed on
March 6, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/817,120, filed on
March 12, 2019, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/841,449, filed on May 1, 2019. This
application also claims the
benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/085,365, filed
on September 30, 2020,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/086,681, filed on October 2, 2020,
U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/120,863, filed on December 3, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
63/136,400, filed on January 12, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 63/208,646, filed
on June 9, 2021.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002]
The disclosures of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/779,689,
filed on
December 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/783,752, filed
on December 21, 2018,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/796,830, filed on January 25, 2019,
U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/797,585, filed on January 28, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
62/810,015, filed on February 25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 62/814,412, filed on
March 6, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/817,120, filed on
March 12, 2019, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/84630227571,449, filed on May 1,2019,
U.S. Patent Application
No. 16/426,050, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 16/426,057,
filed on May 30, 2019,
U.S. Patent Application No. 16/426,060, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent
Application No.
16/426,063, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 16/426,066,
filed on May 30, 2019,
U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/692,992, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S.
Design Patent Application
No. 29/692,993, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No.
29/692,994, filed on May
30, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/692,996, filed on May 30,
2019, U.S. Design Patent
Application No. 29/692,997, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No.
16/598,282, filed on
October 10, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/709,918, filed on
October 18, 2019, U.S.
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Provisional Patent Application No. 62/952,839, filed on December 23, 2019,
U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/956,882, filed on January 3, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
62/985,997, filed on March 6, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 16/829,346,
filed on March 25, 2020,
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/015,898, filed on April 27,
2020, U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 63/022,757, filed on May 11, 2020, U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No.
63/023,442, filed on May 12, 2020, U.S. Design Patent Application No.
29/735,178, filed on May 19,
2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/031,615, filed on May 29,
2020, U.S. Design Patent
Application No. 29/739,927, filed on June 30, 2020, U.S. Design Patent
Application No. 29/739,929,
filed on June 30, 2020, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/739,931, filed
on June 30, 2020, U.S.
Design Patent Application No. 29/739,933, filed on June 30, 2020, U.S. Design
Patent Application No.
29/739,934, filed on June 30, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
63/085,365, filed on
September 30, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/086,681, filed
on October 2, 2020,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/120,863, filed on December 3, 2020,
U.S. Patent
Application No. 17/119,040, filed on December 11, 2020, U.S. Patent
Application No. 17/118,999, filed
on December 11, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,400,
filed on January 12, 2021,
U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/775,557, filed on March 24, 2021, U.S.
Design Patent
Application No. 29/775,558, filed on March 24, 2021, U.S. Design Patent
Application No. 29/775,559,
filed on March 24, 2021, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/775,560, filed
on March 24, 2021, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 63/208,568, filed on June 9, 2021, and U.S.
Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/208,646, filed on June 9, 2021, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/728,454, filed
on September 7, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/767,188,
filed on November 14,
2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/770,566, filed on November
21, 2018, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 63/214,868, filed on June 25, 2021, U.S.
Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/216,062, filed on June 29, 2021, and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No.
63/219,648, filed on July 8, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
63/222,225, filed on July
15,2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/203,882, filed on August
3, 2021, U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 63/260,881, filed on September 3, 2021, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application
No. 63/261,582, filed on September 24, 2021, are hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes as
if presented herein in their entirety. The disclosures of each of U.S. Patent
No. 8,387,784, issued on
March 5,2013, U.S. Patent No. 8,096,413, issued on January 17,2012, and U.S.
Patent No. 11,027,905,
issued on June 8, 2021, are also hereby incorporated by reference for all
purposes as if presented herein
in their entirety.
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BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003]
The present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers for holding,
displaying, and/or
transporting containers.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004]
According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier for
holding a plurality
of containers, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels comprising at
least one central panel, at least
one attachment panel, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the
at least one attachment
panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the
plurality of containers, and at
least one reinforcement panel positioned between the at least one attachment
panel and the at least one
top panel. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between and
attached to adjacent
containers of the plurality of containers.
[0005]
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank
for forming a carrier
for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising a plurality of
panels comprising at least one
central panel, at least one attachment panel, at least one side panel, and at
least one top panel, the at
least attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more
containers of the plurality of
containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and at least one
reinforcement panel positioned
between the at least one attachment panel and the at least one top panel. The
at least one central panel
is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the
plurality of containers when
the carrier is formed from the blank.
[0006]
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method
of forming a
carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising obtaining
a blank comprising a
plurality of panels comprising at least one central panel, at least one
attachment panel, at least one side
panel, and at least one top panel, the blank further comprising at least one
reinforcement panel
positioned between the at least one attachment panel and the at least one top
panel. The method further
comprises folding the plurality of panels to form the carrier such that the at
least one attachment panel
receives a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers,
positioning the at least one
central panel between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and
attaching the at least one
central panel to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.
[0007]
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package, the package
comprising a plurality of containers and a carrier holding the plurality of
containers. The carrier
comprises a plurality of panels comprising at least one central panel, at
least one attachment panel, at
least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment
panel receiving a portion of
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one or more containers of the plurality of containers, and at least one
reinforcement panel positioned
between the at least one attachment panel and the at least one top panel. The
at least one central panel
is positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of
containers.
[0008]
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other
advantages and
benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed
description of the
embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within
the scope of the present
disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and
in various combinations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed
below are not
necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the
drawings may be
expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0010]
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a carrier
according to a first
exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0011]
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of a carrier
formed from the
blank of Fig. 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0012]
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0013]
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment and having a
container removed.
[0014]
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from the blank of
Fig. 1 according
to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0015]
Fig. 6 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a carrier
according to a second
exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0016]
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of a carrier
formed from the
blank of Fig. 6 according to the second exemplary embodiment.
[0017]
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 6 according to the second exemplary embodiment.
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[0018]
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 6 according to the second exemplary embodiment and having a
pair of containers
removed.
[0019]
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from the blank
of Fig. 6 according
to the second exemplary embodiment.
[0020]
Fig. 11 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a carrier
according to a third
exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0021]
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of a carrier
formed from the
blank of Fig. 11 according to the third exemplary embodiment.
[0022]
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 11 according to the third exemplary embodiment.
[0023]
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 11 according to the third exemplary embodiment and having a
pair of containers
removed.
[0024]
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from the blank
of Fig. 11
according to the third exemplary embodiment.
[0025]
Fig. 16 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a carrier
according to a fourth
exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0026]
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of a carrier
formed from the
blank of Fig. 16 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0027]
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 16 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0028]
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a
carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 16 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment and having a
container removed.
[0029]
Fig. 20 is another perspective view of another partially folded configuration
of a carrier formed
from the blank of Fig. 16 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.
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[0030] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 16
according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0031] Fig. 22 is a side view of the package and carrier of Fig. 21.
[0032] Fig. 23 is another perspective view of the package and carrier of
Fig. 21.
[0033] Fig. 24 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a
carrier and package according
to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0034] Fig. 24A is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank of Fig. 24.
[0035] Fig. 24B is an enlarged view of another portion of the blank of Fig.
24.
[0036] Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of
a carrier formed from the
blank of Fig. 24 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.
[0037] Fig. 26 is another perspective view of a partially folded
configuration of a carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 24 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.
[0038] Fig. 27 is a front view of a package and carrier formed from the
blank of Fig. 24 according to
the fifth exemplary embodiment, and having a container removed therefrom.
[0039] Fig. 28 is a back view of a package and carrier formed from the
blank of Fig. 24 according to
the fifth exemplary embodiment, and having a container removed therefrom.
[0040] Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from
the blank of Fig. 24
according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.
[0041] Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of Fig. 29,
showing a container being
withdrawn therefrom.
[0042] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference
numbers throughout the
drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0043]
The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs,
sleeves, cartons, or
the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans,
etc. The containers can be
used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers can
be made from
materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or
beverage item, and the materials
include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE,
HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH,
and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or any combination
thereof.
[0044]
Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of
numerous different
shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting
the scope of the disclosure,
the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g.,
aluminum cans) at least partially
disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms
"lower," "bottom," "upper,"
"top," "front," and "back" indicate orientations determined in relation to
fully erected carriers.
[0045] As
described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end
flaps, and/or
other portions of blanks. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of the
blank can be designated
in relative terms to one another, e.g., "first", "second", "third", etc., in
sequential or non-sequential
reference, without departing from the disclosure.
[0046]
Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 201 of a blank 203 used to form a
carrier 205 (Fig.
5) in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As shown
in Fig. 5, the carrier
205 is sized to contain or support four containers, with two containers CA1,
CA2 being attached to a
front portion 206 of the carrier 205 and two containers CB1, CB2 being
attached to a back portion 208
of the carrier 205. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2,
CB1, CB2, can be beverage
cans, or could be any other suitable type and size of container without
departing from the disclosure.
The carrier 205 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than four
containers. In one embodiment,
the front portion 206 and the back portion 208 of the carrier 205 each have
two containers, and in other
embodiments, the front portion 206 and the back portion 208 of the carrier 205
can carry more or less
than two containers without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 205 can
be provided together
with one or more container as a package 210 (Fig. 5).
[0047] As
shown in Fig. 1, the blank 203 has a longitudinal axis Li and a lateral axis
L2. The blank
203 has a front portion 207 for forming the front portion 206 of the carrier
205, and a back portion 209
for forming the back portion 208 of the carrier 205. The front portion 207 and
the back portion 209 of
the blank 203 are foldably connected at a lateral fold line 212 that forms a
lateral centerline CL of the
blank 203, as shown. As discussed in further detail below, the blank 203 is
partially formed into the
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carrier 205 by folding the blank 203 at the fold line 212 along the centerline
CL so that the front portion
207 and the back portion 209 of the blank 203 are overlapped in at least
partial face-to-face contact.
[0048] In
the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 207 of the blank 203 comprises a
front central
panel 225a having a pair of adhesive or glue openings 227a at interior
portions thereof and a pair of
surface features 229a adjacent the respective glue openings 227a. The surface
features 229a can be, for
example, an embossed feature or other at least partially raised or recessed
surface configuration. As
described further herein, the front central panel 225a is bisected or
otherwise partitioned by a handle
opening 230 that extends from a portion of the front portion 207 of the blank
203 and across the
centerline CL to a portion of the back portion 209 of the blank 203. As also
described further herein,
for example, the top edges of the respective glue openings 227a are spaced a
longitudinal distance D1
away from the centerline CL that is greater than a longitudinal distance D2
that the top edges of
respective glue openings 227b of the back portion 209 of the blank 203 are
spaced away from the
centerline CL.
[0049] A
front container retention panel or front attachment panel 231a is foldably
connected to the
front central panel 225a at a lateral fold line 233a that is interrupted by an
end portion of the handle
opening 230. The front attachment panel 231a includes a container retention
portion 235a that is at
least partially defined between a pair of longitudinally-spaced lateral fold
lines 237a, 239a that are each
interrupted by a respective pair of longitudinally-spaced cuts 241a that can
each include one or more
curved and/or angled portions. As shown, the longitudinally-spaced cuts 241a
define container
retention tabs 248a that extend outwardly from the container retention portion
235a. As also shown,
respective oblique cuts 243a, 245a extend outwardly from each respective cut
241a to define a
respective pair of container retention flaps 247a, 249a that are foldably
connected to the front
attachment panel 231a at respective oblique fold lines 251a, 253a.
[0050] As
shown, an interior marginal portion 236a of the attachment panel 231a is
defmed between
the fold lines 237a, 233a, and an exterior marginal portion 238a of the
attachment panel 231a is defined
between the fold line 239a and a lateral fold line 257a adjacent the
attachment panel 231a. A bevel or
front side panel 255a, as shown, is foldably connected to the front attachment
panel 231a at the lateral
fold line 257a, and a top panel 259 is foldably connected to the front side
panel 255a at a lateral fold
line 261a. The top panel 259, as shown, includes handle features that include
a pair of opposed curved
cuts 263, 265 and a lateral cut 267 extending from the curved cut 263 to the
curved cut 265 to define a
pair of handle flaps 269, 271 that are foldably connected to the top panel 259
at respective lateral fold
lines 273, 275. As described herein, the handle flaps 269, 271 can be folded
away from the top panel
259 to form an opening in the top panel 259. A relief cut 270 can extend from
a portion of the handle
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flap 269, across the cut 267, and onto a portion of the handle flap 271.
Handle features of the carrier
205 include the handle features in the top panel 259, and can also include the
handle opening 230. The
carrier 205 can have a different arrangement of handle features, or can be
devoid of handle features,
without departing from the disclosure.
[0051] In
the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 209 of the blank 203 includes a
back central
panel 225b, a back container retention panel or back attachment panel 231b,
and a back side panel 255b
having associated features that are generally a mirror-image of the
corresponding panels and flaps of
the front portion 207 of the blank 203. Corresponding components (e.g.,
panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts,
etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by
the "a" or "b" suffix, with
the "a" components corresponding to the front portion 207 of the blank 203 and
the "b" components
corresponding to the back portion 209 of the blank 203. The back portion 209
of the blank 203 also
includes an attachment flap 277 foldably connected to the back side panel 255b
at a lateral fold line
26 lb.
[0052] As
also shown, glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the central
panels 225a, 225b,
e.g., across the respective surface features 229a, 229b. While the glue G is
illustrated on the exterior
surface 201 of the blank 203 in Fig. 11 for clarity of illustration and to
indicate positioning relative to
other features of the blank 203, it will be understood that the glue G is
applied to at least the interior
surface of the central panels 225a, 225b. In one embodiment, glue G can be
applied to both the interior
surface and the exterior surface of the central panels 225a, 225b.
[0053]
Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be
otherwise shaped, arranged,
and/or omitted from the blank 203 without departing from the disclosure. The
blank 203 could be sized
and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than four containers without
departing from this disclosure.
[0054] As
shown in Fig. 2 (in which the glue G is omitted for clarity of illustration),
the exterior surface
201 of the blank 203 can be placed atop the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 such
that the container
retention portion 235a of the front attachment panel 231a overlies the
containers CA1, CA2 and such
that the container retention portion 235b of the back attachment panel 231b
overlies the containers CB1,
CB2. Further downward positioning of the attachment panels 231a, 23 lb over
the plurality of
containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 can activate the respective container retention
portions 235a, 235b to
engage respective containers. For example, as the front attachment panel 231a
is lowered or urged
downwardly onto the containers CA1, CA2, the container retention portion 235a
can at least partially
separate from the remainder of the front attachment panel 231a at the cuts
241a, which, in turn, can
cause additional separation of the respective container retention flaps 247a,
249a from the remainder of
the front attachment panel 231a at the respective cuts 243a, 245a and such
that the respective container
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retention flaps 247a, 249a fold at least partially outwardly from the front
attachment panel 231a at the
respective fold lines 251a, 253a. In such an arrangement, upper or top
portions T of the respective
containers CA1, CA2 can extend at least partially through respective openings
formed by the respective
cuts 241a. Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the back
attachment panel 23 lb can
occur as the back attachment panel 23 lb is lowed or urged downwardly onto the
containers CB1, CB2.
The marginal portions 236a, 238a of the attachment panel 231a can fold at
least partially downwardly
at the respective fold lines 237a, 239a in such a configuration, and,
similarly, the marginal portions
236b, 238b of the attachment panel 23 lb can fold at least partially
downwardly at the respective fold
lines 237b, 239b.
[0055] In
this regard, the respective container retention flaps 247a, 249a and/or the
respective container
retention tabs 248a can engage a portion of the respective containers CA1,
CA2, for example, an edge
presented by a rim or top portion T of the respective containers CA1, CA2. It
will be understood that
other portions of the front attachment panel 231a can form a portion of the
container retention portion
235a, for example, a portion of the front attachment panel 231a, disposed
between the respective
container retention flaps 247a, 249a, which can engage an edge presented by a
rim or top portion T of
the respective containers CA1, CA2 as described above. The back attachment
panel 23 lb and
corresponding container retention portion 235b can engage the containers CB1,
CB2 in a similar manner
as described above with respect to the engagement of the front attachment
panel 231a and container
retention portion 235a with respect to the containers CA1, CA2.
[0056] As
shown in Fig. 2, the front central panel 225a and the back central panel 225b
can be folded
at the fold line 212 in the direction of the arrows Al, A2 such that the front
central panel 225a and the
back central panel 225b are brought into at least partial face-to-face contact
in the direction of the
respective arrows A3, A4 (Fig. 3) and such that the respective glue openings
227a, 227b and the
respective surface features 229a, 229b in the respective central panels 225a,
225b are positioned so as
to be laterally aligned but longitudinally offset due to the different
relative spacing of the respective
glue openings 227a, 227b away from the centerline CL. In this regard, the
central panels 225a, 225b
are arranged such that a portion of the front central panel 225a overlaps each
of the glue openings 227b
and a portion of the back central panel 225b overlaps each of the glue
openings 227a to provide
communication between the central panels 225a, 225b and respective surfaces
upon which the
respective containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 can be adhered or otherwise attached,
as described further
herein. Such rearrangement of the central panels 225a, 225b can also cause the
respective central panels
225a, 225b to be folded downwardly relative to the respective attachment
panels 231a, 23 lb at the
respective fold lines 233a, 233b.
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[0057]
Referring to Fig. 4, in which the container CA1 is removed for clarity of
illustration, glue G
can be at least partially aligned with the glue openings 227a to adhere the
containers CA1, CA2 to
respective exposed portions of the central panel 225b through the respective
glue openings 227a, and
the glue G can be at least partially aligned with the respective glue openings
227b to adhere the
containers CB1 and CB2 to respective exposed portions of the central panel
225a through the respective
glue openings 227b. The glue G can cover at least a portion of the surface
features 229a, 229b such
that one or more of the surface features 229a, 229b presents additional
surfaces for adhesion and/or
spacing between the front portion 206 and the back portion 208 of the carrier
205.
[0058]
The attachment of the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 to the respective central
panels 225a,
225b can provide retention and support of the respective containers, e.g.,
such that the containers do not
detach from the carrier 205 under their own weight, in addition to or
alternative to the container retention
and support provided by the respective container retention portions 235a,
235b. For example, in one
embodiment, one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 can be attached
to a respective central
panel 225a, 225b with glue G, without additional retention and support
provided by a container retention
portion as described above.
[0059]
The glue G described herein can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive, a high
tack glue, an
epoxy, a polymeric cement, etc., or combinations thereof.
[0060]
Such enhanced attachment of the respective containers to the respective
central panels 225a,
225b with the glue G can also provide enhanced integrity to the carrier 205,
e.g., by providing opposing
adhesive forces on the respective central panels 225a, 225b such that the
central panels 225a, 225b are
compressed therebetween. For example, in one embodiment, as the carrier 205 is
lifted, the containers
CA1, CA2 can at least partially pull the portions of the back central panel
225b to which they are
attached through the respective glue openings 227a toward the front central
panel 225a under the at
least partial weight of the containers CA1, CA2. Respective portions of the
front central panel 225a
can be pulled toward the back central panel 225b through the respective glue
openings 227b by the
containers CB1, CB2 in a similar manner.
[0061]
Still referring to Figs. 1-5, the front side panel 255a can be folded upwardly
at the fold line
257a in the direction of the arrow AS, for example, to be at an oblique
arrangement relative to the
containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 and the top panel 259 can be folded at the fold
line 261a in the
direction of the arrow A5 into at least partial face-to-face contact with at
least a portion of the attachment
panels 231a, 23 lb. Similarly, the back side panel 255b can be folded upwardly
at the fold line 257b in
the direction of the arrow A6 into an oblique arrangement with the containers
CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2,
and the attachment flap 277 can be folded at the fold line 261b in the
direction of the arrow A6 into at
11
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least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel 259 and/or the
attachment panel 23 lb, as shown in
Fig. 5. Such an arrangement can be maintained with an adhesive such as glue.
[0062]
Accordingly, containers can be engaged by the respective attachment panels
231a, 23 lb and
can extend below the respective container retention portions 235a, 235b in the
assembled carrier
205/package 210. In such an arrangement, the containers CA1, CA2 extend below
the container
retention portion 235a in the front portion 206 of the carrier 205, and the
containers CB1, CB2 extend
below the container retention portion 235b in the back portion 208 of the
carrier 205, with the top panel
259 and the attachment flap 277 overlying respective portions of the
respective container retention
portions 235a, 235b. Further, the front central panel 225a and the back
central panel 225b are positioned
between and attached to respective ones of the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2.
[0063]
Still referring to Figs. 1-5, the carrier 205 can be grasped by separating one
or both of the handle
flaps 269, 271 at the respective cuts 263, 265, 267 and folding the respective
handle flaps 269, 271
downwardly at the respective fold lines 273, 275 toward the handle opening 230
such that a user can
insert one or more fingers therethrough to grasp a portion of the package
210/carrier 205, for example,
an underside of the top panel 259 and/or the attachment panels 231a, 231b. The
alignment of the handle
opening 230 below the handle features in the top panel 259, e.g., handle flaps
269, 271 in the erected
package 210/carrier 205 provides a space through which the consumer's fingers
can extend below the
top panel 259 into an interior portion of the carrier 205.
[0064]
The package 210/carrier 205 described above has a compact structure that can,
for example,
provide materials savings and waste reduction. Additionally, the arrangement
of the glue G among the
containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 as well as the central panels 225a, 225b
provides multiple points of
attachment that results in a robust structure for holding and carrying the
containers CA1, CA2, CB1,
CB2. Further, the exposure of one or more portions of the containers CA1, CA2,
CB1, CB2 on exterior
portions of the carrier 205/package 210 provides a consumer with a clear view
of labeling or surface
graphics associated with the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2, as well as
providing convenient access
to remove one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 from the carrier
205/package 210, for
example, by peeling a respective container away from an adjacent container
and/or portion of the carrier
205/package 210. Peeling or pulling the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2 away
from a respective
central panel 225a, 225b can involve pulling the respective container with a
force sufficient to overcome
the adhesive bond of the respective container and the respective central panel
225a, 225b provided by
the glue G. In one embodiment, the glue G can be selected so as to remain on a
respective central panel
225a, 225b, e.g., such that substantially little or no glue G remains on the
container as it is removed.
One or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2, in one embodiment, can be
reattached to a
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respective central panel 225a, 225b following therefrom by pressing the
container against a respective
region of glue G.
[0065]
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the exterior side 301 of a blank, generally indicated
at 303, used to form
a carrier 305 (Fig. 10) for containing one or more containers according to a
second exemplary
embodiment of the disclosure. The blank 303 and the carrier 305 formed
therefrom can have one or
more features that are substantially similar to the blank 203 (Fig. 1) and the
carrier 205 (Fig. 5) of the
first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, and like or similar components
are referenced with like
or similar reference numbers.
[0066] As
shown, the blank 303 includes a front portion 307 and a back portion 309 and
includes
additional container retention features such that the respective container
retention portions 235a, 235b
are configured to engage and support three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 in the
front portion 306 of the
carrier 305 formed from the blank 303 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in
the back portion 308 of
the carrier 305. In this regard, the central panels 225a, 225b of the blank
303 are partitioned by a pair
of handle openings 230 (broadly, respective "first handle opening" and "second
handle opening"), each
having marginal portions that extend into the respective attachment panels
231, 23 lb.
[0067]
Furthermore, the cuts 241a, 241b, 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b can form a plurality
of flexible edges
in the respective container retention portions 235a, 235b for engaging top
portions of respective
containers, as well as defining the container retention tabs 248a, 248b that
extend away from the
respective container retention portions 235a, 235b.
[0068] As
shown, the top panel 259 of the blank 303 includes handle features that
include a pair of
handle flaps 363 (broadly, respective "first handle feature" and "second
handle feature") that are each
foldably connected to the top panel 259 at a respective fold line 365 and
which are at least partially
defined by a respective curved cut 367 that extends from one endpoint to the
other endpoint of each
respective fold line 365. Each handle flap 363 includes respective oblique
fold lines 369, 371 that
extend from the endpoints of the respective fold line 365 to intersect at the
respective cut 367. A
consumer can separate the respective handle flaps 363 at the respective cuts
367 and fold the handle
flaps 363 downwardly at the respective fold lines 265 to form openings in the
top panel 259 that provide
access to a respective handle opening 230 to insert one or more fingers
therethrough to grasp a portion
of the carrier 305 formed from the blank 303, for example, an underside of the
top panel 259 and/or the
attachment panels 231a, 23 lb. One or more portions of the respective handle
flaps 363 can fold at one
or more of the respective oblique fold lines 369, 371, for example, to provide
additional protection for
the consumer's fingers and/or to provide separation among adjacent containers.
Handle features of the
carrier 305 include the handle features in the top panel 259, and can also
include the handle openings
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230. The carrier 305 can have a different arrangement of handle features, or
can be devoid of handle
features, without departing from the disclosure.
[0069] As
also shown, glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the central
panels 225a, 225b,
e.g., across the respective surface features 229a, 229b. While the glue G is
illustrated on the exterior
surface 301 of the blank 303 in Fig. 6 for clarity of illustration and to
indicate positioning relative to
other features of the blank 303, it will be understood that the glue G is
applied to at least the interior
surface of the central panels 225a, 225b. In one embodiment, glue G can be
applied to both the interior
surface and the exterior surface of the central panels 225a, 225b.
[0070]
Referring additionally to Figs. 7-10, formation of the carrier 305 from the
blank 303 and an
associated package 310 that includes the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2,
CB3 is illustrated
according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood
that the carrier 305
can be formed in a similar manner to that of the carrier 205 described above
and as shown in Figs. 2-5,
and is provided with at least similar properties and advantages.
[0071] As
shown in Fig. 7, the exterior surface 301 of the blank 303 can be placed atop
the containers
CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that the container retention portion 235a of the
front attachment panel
231a overlies the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and such that the container
retention portion 235b of the
back attachment panel 23 lb overlies the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. Further
downward positioning of
the attachment panels 231a, 23 lb over the plurality of containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can
activate the respective container retention portions 235a, 235b to engage
respective containers. For
example, as the front attachment panel 231a is lowered or urged downwardly
onto the containers CA1,
CA2, CA3 the container retention portion 235a can at least partially separate
from the remainder of the
front attachment panel 231a at the cuts 241a such that an upper or top portion
T of the respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least partially protrude through respective
openings formed by the
respective cuts 241a. Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of
the back attachment panel
23 lb can occur as the back attachment panel 23 lb is lowed or urged
downwardly onto the containers
CB1, CB2, CB3. The marginal portions 236a, 238a of the attachment panel 231a
can fold at least
partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 237a, 239a in such a
configuration, and, similarly, the
marginal portions 236b, 238b of the attachment panel 231b can fold at least
partially downwardly at the
respective fold lines 237b, 239b.
[0072] In
this regard, portions of the container retention portion 235a, e.g., the
container retention tabs
248a, can engage one or more portions of the respective containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, for example, an
edge presented by a rim or top portion T of the respective containers CA1,
CA2, CA3. It will be
understood that other portions of the front attachment panel 231a can form a
portion of the container
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retention portion 235a, for example, a portion of the front attachment panel
231a disposed between
and/or adjacent the respective cuts 243a, 245a, which can engage an edge
presented by the rim or top
portion T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 as described above. The
back attachment panel
23 lb and corresponding container retention portion 235b can engage the
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in
a similar manner as described above with respect to the engagement of the
front attachment panel 231a
and container retention portion 235a with respect to the containers CA1, CA2,
CA3.
[0073]
The front central panel 225a and the back central panel 225b can be folded at
the fold line 212
and brought into at least partial face-to-face contact in the direction of the
respective arrows A7, A8,
and such that the respective glue openings 227a, 227b are positioned to be in
general alignment so as
to be laterally aligned but longitudinally offset. In this regard, the central
panels 225a, 225b are arranged
such that a portion of the front central panel 225a overlaps each of the glue
openings 227b and a portion
of the back central panel 225b overlaps each of the glue openings 227a to
provide communication
between the central panels 225a, 225b and respective surfaces upon which the
respective containers
CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered or otherwise attached, as
described further herein.
[0074] As
shown in Fig. 9, in which the container CA2 is removed for clarity of
illustration, glue G
can be provided in alignment with the glue openings 227a to adhere the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to
respective exposed portions of the central panel 225b through the respective
glue openings 227a, and
the glue G can be provided in alignment with the glue openings 227b to adhere
the containers CB1,
CB2, CB3 to respective exposed portions of the central panel 225a through the
respective glue openings
227b. In one embodiment, the glue G can cover at least a portion of the
surface features 229a, 229b
such that one or more of the surface features 229a, 229b presents additional
surfaces for adhesion and/or
spacing between the front portion 306 and the back portion 308 of the carrier
305.
[0075] As
described above, the adhesion of the containers of the front portion 306 of
the carrier 305 to
respective surfaces of the back central panel 225b exposed through the glue
openings 227a, and the
adhesion of the containers of the back portion 308 of the carrier 305 to
respective surfaces of the front
central panel 225a exposed through the glue openings 227b can provide
compression between the
central panels 225a, 225b and stability to the carrier 305. The containers can
be attached to the
respective central panels 225a, 225b in a different configuration as described
above, e.g., a configuration
in which the containers are not engaged by a container retention portion or a
configuration in which a
fewer number of or no glue openings are provided.
[0076]
Still referring to Figs. 7-10, the front side panel 255a can be folded
upwardly at the fold line
257a in the direction of the arrow A9, for example, to be at an oblique
arrangement relative to the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the top panel 259 can be folded
at the fold line 261a
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in the direction of the arrow A9 into at least partial face-to-face contact
with at least a portion of the
attachment panels 231a, 23 lb. Similarly, the back side panel 255b can be
folded upwardly at the fold
line 257b in the direction of the arrow A10 into an oblique arrangement with
the containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the attachment flap 277 can be folded at the fold line
26 lb in the direction
of the arrow Al 0 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top
panel 259 and/or the attachment
panel 23 lb.
[0077]
Accordingly, containers can be engaged by the respective attachment panels
231a, 23 lb and
can extend below the respective container retention portions 235a, 235b in the
assembled carrier
305/package 310. In such an arrangement, containers CA1, CA2, CA3 extend below
the container
retention portion 235a in the front portion 306 of the carrier 305, and
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 extend
below the container retention portion 235b in the back portion 308 of the
carrier 305, with the top panel
259 and the attachment flap 277 overlying respective portions of the
respective container retention
portions 235a, 235b. Further, the front central panel 225a and the back
central panel 225b are positioned
between and attached to respective ones of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3.
[0078]
The carrier 305 can be grasped by separating one or both of the handle flaps
363 at the
respective cuts 367 and folding the respective handle flaps 363 downwardly at
the respective fold lines
365 toward the respective openings 230 such that a user can insert one or more
fmgers therethrough to
grasp a portion of the carrier 305, for example, an underside of the top panel
259 and/or the attachment
panels 231a, 23 lb. The alignment of the respective handle openings 230 below
the respective handle
features in the top panel 259, e.g., handle flaps 363, in the erected carrier
305 provides a space through
which the user's fingers can extend below the top panel 259 into an interior
portion of the carrier 305.
The handle flaps 363 are configured to at least partially fold at one or both
of the respective fold lines
369, 371, for example, to at least partially conform around a respective
container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3.
[0079]
The configuration of the carrier 305/package 310 provides a compact and robust
holding and
carrying structure for the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, with the
advantages described
above with respect to the carrier 205/package 210.
[0080]
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the exterior side 401 of a blank, generally
indicated at 403, used to
form a carrier 405 (Fig. 15) for containing one or more containers according
to a third exemplary
embodiment of the disclosure. The blank 403 and the carrier 405 formed
therefrom can have one or
more substantially similar features to the blanks 203, 303 (Figs. 1 and 6) and
the carriers 205, 305 (Figs.
and 10) described above, and like or similar components are referenced with
like or similar reference
numbers.
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[0081] As
shown, the blank 403 includes a front portion 407 and a back portion 409 and
includes
container retention features such that respective container retention portions
435a, 435b are configured
to engage and support three containers in the front portion 406 of the carrier
405 and three containers
in the back portion 408 of the carrier 405 formed from the blank 403. The
central panels 225a, 225b of
the blank 403 are each partitioned by respective handle openings 430a, 430b
(broadly, respective "first
handle opening" and "second handle opening") that extend from each respective
central panel 225a,
225b into the respective attachment panels 431a, 43 lb.
[0082]
The respective container retention portions 435a, 435b of the respective
attachment panels
431a, 43 lb include the respective lateral fold lines 239a, 239b, interrupted
by the respective cuts 241a,
243a, 245a and 241b, 243b, 245b that can form a plurality of flexible edges in
the respective container
retention portions 235a, 235b for engaging top portions of respective
containers, as well as defming the
container retention tabs 248a, 248b that extend away from the respective
container retention portions
235a, 235b. As shown, an exterior marginal portion 438a of the attachment
panel 431a is defined
between the fold line 239a and the lateral fold line 257a adjacent the
attachment panel 431a.
[0083] As
shown, the top panel 259 of the blank 403 includes handle features that
include a top handle
opening 463 that is laterally aligned with the respective handle openings
430a, 430b. Handle features
of the carrier 405 include the handle features in the top panel 259, and can
also include the handle
openings 430a, 430b. The carrier 405 can have a different arrangement of
handle features, or can be
devoid of handle features, without departing from the disclosure.
[0084] As
also shown, glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the central
panels 225a, 225b,
e.g., across the respective surface features 229a, 229b. While the glue G is
illustrated on the exterior
surface 401 of the blank 403 in Fig. 11 for clarity of illustration and to
indicate positioning relative to
other features of the blank 403, it will be understood that the glue G is
applied to at least the interior
surface of the central panels 225a, 225b. In one embodiment, glue G can be
applied to both the interior
surface and the exterior surface of the central panels 225a, 225b.
[0085]
Referring additionally to Figs. 12-15, formation of the carrier 405 from the
blank 403 and an
associated package 410 that includes the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2,
CB3 is illustrated
according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood
that the carrier 405
can be formed in a similar manner to that of the carriers 205, 305 described
above and is provided with
at least similar properties and advantages.
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[0086] As
shown in Fig. 12 (in which the glue G is omitted for clarity of illustration),
the exterior
surface 401 of the blank 403 can be placed atop the containers CA1, CA2, CB1,
CB2, CB3 such that
the container retention portion 435a of the front attachment panel 431a
overlies the containers CA1,
CA2, CA3 and such that the container retention portion 435b of the back
attachment panel 43 lb overlies
the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. Further downward positioning of the attachment
panels 431a, 43 lb
over the plurality of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can activate the
respective container
retention portions 435a, 435b to engage respective containers. For example, as
the front attachment
panel 431a is lowered or urged downwardly onto the containers CA1, CA2, CA3
the container retention
portion 435a can at least partially separate from the remainder of the front
attachment panel 431a at the
cuts 241a such that an upper or top portion T of the respective containers
CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least
partially protrude through respective openings formed by the respective cuts
241a. Such
reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the back attachment panel 43
lb can occur as the back
attachment panel 43 lb is lowed or urged downwardly onto the containers CB1,
CB2, CB3. The
marginal portion 438a of the attachment panel 431a can fold at least partially
downwardly at the fold
line 239a in such a configuration, and, similarly, the marginal portion 238b
of the attachment panel
23 lb can fold at least partially downwardly at the fold line 239b.
[0087] In
this regard, portions of the container retention portion 435a, e.g., the
container retention tabs
438a, can engage one or more portions of the respective containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, for example, an
edge presented by a rim or top portion T of the respective containers CA1,
CA2, CA3. It will be
understood that other portions of the front attachment panel 231a can form a
portion of the container
retention portion 435a, for example, a portion of the front attachment panel
431a disposed between
and/or adjacent the respective cuts 243a, 245a, which can engage an edge
presented by the rim or top
portion T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 as described above. The
back attachment panel
43 lb and corresponding container retention portion 435b can engage the
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in
a similar manner as described above with respect to the engagement of the
front attachment panel 431a
and container retention portion 435a with respect to the containers CA1, CA2,
CA3.
[0088]
The front central panel 225a and the back central panel 225b can be folded at
the fold line 212
and brought into at least partial face-to-face contact in the direction of the
respective arrows All, Al2,
and such that the respective glue openings 227a, 227b are in general alignment
and positioned so as to
be laterally aligned but longitudinally offset. In this regard, the central
panels 225a, 225b are arranged
such that a portion of the front central panel 225a overlaps each of the glue
openings 227b and a portion
of the back central panel 225b overlaps each of the glue openings 227a to
provide communication
between the central panels 225a, 225b and respective surfaces upon which the
respective containers
CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered or otherwise attached, as
described further herein.
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[0089] As
shown in Fig. 14, in which the containers CA2, CB2 are removed for clarity of
illustration,
glue G can be provided in alignment with the glue openings 227a to adhere the
containers CA1, CA2,
CA3 to respective exposed portions of the central panel 225b through the
respective glue openings 227a,
and the glue G can be provided in alignment with the glue openings 227b to
adhere the containers CB1,
CB2, CB3 to respective exposed portions of the central panel 225a through the
respective glue openings
227b. The glue G can cover at least a portion of the surface features 229a,
229b such that one or more
of the surface features 229a, 229b presents additional surfaces for adhesion
and/or spacing between the
front portion 206 and the back portion 408 of the carrier 405.
[0090] As
described above, the adhesion of the containers of the front portion 406 of
the carrier 405 to
respective surfaces of the back central panel 225b exposed through the glue
openings 227a, and the
adhesion of the containers of the back portion 408 of the carrier 405 to
respective surfaces of the front
central panel 225a exposed through the glue openings 227b can provide
compression between the
central panels 225a, 225b and stability to the carrier 405. The containers can
be attached to the
respective central panels 225a, 225b in a different configuration as described
above, e.g., a configuration
in which the containers are not engaged by a container retention portion or a
configuration in which a
fewer number of or no glue openings are provided.
[0091]
Still referring to Figs. 12-15, the front side panel 255a can be folded
upwardly at the fold line
257a in the direction of the arrow A13, for example, to be at an oblique
arrangement relative to the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the top panel 259 can be folded
at the fold line 261a
in the direction of the arrow Al3 into at least partial face-to-face contact
with at least a portion of the
attachment panels 431a, 43 lb. Similarly, the back side panel 255b can be
folded upwardly at the fold
line 257b in the direction of the arrow A14 into an oblique arrangement with
the containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the attachment flap 277 can be folded at the fold line
261b in the direction
of the arrow A14 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel
259 and/or the attachment
panel 43 lb.
[0092]
Accordingly, containers can be engaged by the respective attachment panels
431a, 43 lb and
can extend below the respective container retention portions 435a, 435b in the
assembled carrier
405/package 410. In such an arrangement, containers CA1, CA2, CA3 extend below
the container
retention portion 435a in the front portion 406 of the carrier 405, and
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 extend
below the container retention portion 435b in the back portion 408 of the
carrier 405, with the top panel
259 and the attachment flap 277 overlying respective portions of the
respective container retention
portions 435a, 435b. Further, the front central panel 225a and the back
central panel 225b are positioned
between and attached to respective ones of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3.
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[0093] A
user can grasp the carrier 405 by inserting one or more fingers through the
top handle opening
463 to grasp a portion of the carrier 405, for example, an underside of the
top panel 259 and/or the
attachment panels 431a, 43 lb. The alignment of the handle openings 430a, 430b
below the handle
feature in the top panel 259, e.g., the top handle opening 463, in the erected
carrier 405 provides a space
through which the user's fingers can extend below the top panel 259 into an
interior portion of the
carrier 405.
[0094]
The configuration of the carrier 405/package 410 provides a compact and robust
holding and
carrying structure for the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, with the
advantages described
above with respect to the carrier 205/package 210 and the carrier 305/package
310.
[0095]
Fig. 16 is a plan view of the exterior side 501 of a blank, generally
indicated at 503, used to
form a carrier 505 (Fig. 21) for containing one or more containers according
to a fourth exemplary
embodiment of the disclosure. The blank 503 and the carrier 505 formed
therefrom can have one or
more substantially similar features to the blanks 203, 303, 403 and the
carriers 205, 305, 405 described
above, and like or similar components are referenced with like or similar
reference numbers.
[0096] As
shown, the blank 503 includes a front portion 507 and a back portion 509 and
includes
container retention features such that respective container retention portions
535a, 535b are configured
to engage and support three containers in the front portion 506 of the carrier
505 and three containers
in the back portion 508 of the carrier 505 formed from the blank 503. The
central panels 225a, 225b of
the blank 503 are each partitioned by respective pairs of openings 430a, 430b
that extend from each
respective central panel 225a, 225b into the respective attachment panels
531a, 53 lb.
[0097] As
shown, the respective container retention portions 535a, 535b of the
respective attachment
panels 531a, 53 lb include the respective lateral fold lines 237a, 239a and
237b, 239b, interrupted by
the respective cuts 241a, 243a, 245a and 24 lb, 243b, 245b that can form a
plurality of flexible edges in
the respective container retention portions. As shown, endpoints of the
respective cuts 241a, 241a are
connected by additional respective cuts 546a, 546b to form respective
container retention openings
550a, 550b therebetween. In this regard, the container retention portions
543a, 543b are arranged to
receive a portion of respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3,
e.g., a rim or top portion
T thereof, through portions of the respective container retention openings
550a, 550b. As also shown,
an interior marginal portion 536a of the attachment panel 531a is defined
between the fold lines 237a,
233a, and an exterior marginal portion 538a of the attachment panel 531a is
defmed between the fold
line 239a and a lateral fold line 257a adjacent the attachment panel 531a.
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[0098]
Further, the container retention features include a plurality of end flaps
foldably connected to
the respective container retention portions 535a, 535b, including first end
flaps 552a, 552b foldably
connected to laterally-opposed sides of the respective container retention
portions 535a, 535b at
respective oblique fold lines 554a, 554b, respective second end flaps 560a,
560b foldably connected to
laterally-opposed sides of the respective container retention portions 535a,
535b at respective oblique
fold lines 562a, 562b, and respective third end flaps 556a, 556b foldably
connected to laterally-opposed
sides of the respective container retention portions 535a, 535b at respective
longitudinal fold lines 558a,
558b. The respective end flaps 552a, 556a and 552b, 556b are foldably
connected to one another at
respective portions of the respective fold lines 239a, 239b and the respective
end flaps 556a, 560a and
556b, 560b are foldably connected to one another at respective portions of the
respective fold lines
237a, 237b.
[0099] As
shown, the top panel 259 of the blank 503 includes handle features that
include a pair of
handle flaps 563 (broadly, respective "first handle feature" and "second
handle feature") that are
foldably connected to the top panel 259 at respective longitudinal fold lines
565 and that are defmed by
respective cuts 567 that extend from one endpoint of the respective fold lines
565 to the other respective
endpoint. Handle features of the carrier 505 include the handle features in
the top panel 259, and can
also include the handle openings 430a, 430b. The carrier 405 can have a
different arrangement of
handle features, or can be devoid of handle features, without departing from
the disclosure.
[00100] As
also shown, glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the central
panels 225a, 225b,
e.g., across the respective surface features 229a, 229b. While the glue G is
illustrated on the exterior
surface 501 of the blank 503 in Fig. 16 for clarity of illustration and to
indicate positioning relative to
other features of the blank 503, it will be understood that the glue G is
applied to at least the interior
surface of the central panels 225a, 225b. In one embodiment, glue G can be
applied to both the interior
surface and the exterior surface of the central panels 225a, 225b.
[00101]
Referring additionally to Figs. 17-23, formation of the carrier 505 from the
blank 503 and an
associated package 510 that includes the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2,
CB3 is illustrated
according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood
that the carrier 505
can be formed in a similar manner to that of the carriers 205, 305, 405
described above, and is provided
with at least similar properties and advantages.
[00102] As
shown in Fig. 17 (in which the glue G is omitted for clarity of illustration),
the exterior
surface 501 of the blank 503 can be placed atop the containers CA1, CA2, CB1,
CB2, CB3 such that
the container retention portion 535a of the front attachment panel 531a
overlies the containers CA1,
CA2, CA3 and such that the container retention portion 535b of the back
attachment panel 53 lb overlies
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the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. Further downward positioning of the attachment
panels 531a, 53 lb
over the plurality of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can activate the
respective container
retention portions 535a, 535b to engage respective containers. For example, as
the front attachment
panel 531a is lowered or urged downwardly onto the containers CA1, CA2, CA3,
an upper or top portion
T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least partially protrude
through the respective
openings 550a formed by the respective cuts 241a, 546a. Such engagement of the
corresponding
portions of the back attachment panel 53 lb can occur as the back attachment
panel 53 lb is lowed or
urged downwardly onto the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. The marginal portions
536a, 538a of the
attachment panel 531a can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective
fold lines 237a, 239a in
such a configuration, and, similarly, the marginal portions 536b, 538b of the
attachment panel 53 lb can
fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 237b, 239b.
[00103] In
this regard, portions of the container retention portion 535a, e.g., portions
of the attachment
panel 531a adjacent the respective openings 550a, can engage one or more
portions of the respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, for example, an edge presented by a rim or top
portion T of the respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3. It will be understood that other portions of the
front attachment panel 531a
can form a portion of the container retention portion 535a, for example, a
portion of the front attachment
panel 531a disposed between and/or adjacent the respective cuts 243a, 245a,
which can engage an edge
presented by the rim or top portion T of the respective containers CA1, CA2,
CA3 as described above.
The back attachment panel 53 lb and corresponding container retention portion
535b can engage the
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a similar manner as described above with respect
to the engagement of
the front attachment panel 531a and container retention portion 535a with
respect to the containers CA1,
CA2, CA3.
[00104]
The front central panel 225a and the back central panel 225b can be folded at
the fold line 212
and brought into at least partial face-to-face contact in the direction of the
respective arrows A15, A16,
and such that the respective glue openings 227a, 227b are in general alignment
and positioned so as to
be laterally aligned but longitudinally offset. In this regard, the central
panels 225a, 225b are arranged
such that a portion of the front central panel 225a overlaps each of the glue
openings 227b and a portion
of the back central panel 225b overlaps each of the glue openings 227a to
provide communication
between the central panels 225a, 225b and respective surfaces upon which the
respective containers
CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered or otherwise attached, as
described further herein.
[00105] As
shown in Fig. 19, in which the container CA2 is removed for clarity of
illustration, glue G
can be provided in alignment with the glue openings 227a to adhere the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to
respective exposed portions of the central panel 225b through the respective
glue openings 227a, and
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the glue G can be provided in alignment with the glue openings 227b to adhere
the containers CB1,
CB2, CB3 to respective exposed portions of the central panel 225a through the
respective glue openings
227b. In one embodiment, the glue G can cover at least a portion of the
surface features 229a, 229b
such that one or more of the surface features 229a, 229b presents additional
surfaces for adhesion and/or
spacing between the front portion 506 and the back portion 508 of the carrier
505.
[00106] As
described above, the adhesion of the containers of the front portion 506 of
the carrier 505 to
respective surfaces of the back central panel 225b exposed through the glue
openings 227a, and the
adhesion of the containers of the back portion 508 of the carrier 505 to
respective surfaces of the front
central panel 225a exposed through the glue openings 227b can provide
compression between the
central panels 225a, 225b and stability to the carrier 505. The containers can
be attached to the
respective central panels 225a, 225b in a different configuration as described
above, e.g., a configuration
in which the containers are not engaged by a container retention portion or a
configuration in which a
fewer number of or no glue openings are provided.
[00107]
Additionally, and as shown, the respective end flaps 556a, 556b can be folded
upwardly at the
respective fold lines 558a, 558b in the direction of the arrows A17, A 1 8
into overlapping and/or face-
to-face contact with the respective container retention portions 535a, 535b of
the respective attachment
panels 531a, 53 lb. Such movement of the respective end flaps 556a, 556b urges
the respective end
flaps 552a, 552b to fold downwardly away from the respective attachment panels
531a, 53 lb at the
respective fold lines 554a, 554b and to fold inwardly toward the respective
end flaps 556a, 556b at the
respective fold lines 239a, 239b in the direction of the respective arrows
A19, A20 and causes the
respective end flaps 560a, 560b to fold downwardly away from the respective
attachment panels 531a,
53 lb at the respective fold lines 562a, 562b and to fold inwardly toward the
respective end flaps 556a,
556b at the respective fold lines 237a, 237b in the direction of the
respective arrows A21, A22. In such
an arrangement, the respective end flaps 552a, 552b, 560a, 560b overlie
longitudinally exterior-facing
portions of the respective containers CA1, CA3, CB1, CB3.
[00108]
Still referring to Figs. 17-23, the front side panel 255a can be folded
upwardly at the fold line
257a in the direction of the arrow A23, for example, to be at an oblique
arrangement relative to the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the top panel 259 can be folded
at the fold line 261a
in the direction of the arrow A23 into at least partial face-to-face contact
with at least a portion of the
attachment panels 531a, 53 lb. Similarly, the back side panel 255b can be
folded upwardly at the fold
line 257b in the direction of the arrow A24 into an oblique arrangement with
the containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the attachment flap 277 can be folded at the fold line
26 lb in the direction
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of the arrow A24 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel
259 and/or the attachment
panel 53 lb.
[00109]
Accordingly, containers can be engaged by the respective attachment panels
531a, 53 lb and
can extend below the respective container retention portions 535a, 535b in the
assembled carrier
505/package 510. In such an arrangement, containers CA1, CA2, CA3 extend below
the container
retention portion 535a in the front portion 506 of the carrier 505, and
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 extend
below the container retention portion 535b in the back portion 508 of the
carrier 505, with the top panel
259 and the attachment flap 277 overlying respective portions of the
respective container retention
portions 535a, 535b. In such an arrangement, respective end flaps 552a, 556a,
560a, 552b, 556b, 560b
are positioned to engage outward-facing portions of respective containers, for
example, to provide
enhanced engagement between the carrier 505 and the containers CA1, CA2, CA3,
CB1, CB2, CB3.
Further, the front central panel 225a and the back central panel 225b are
positioned between and
attached to respective ones of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3.
[00110]
The carrier 505 can be grasped by separating one or both of the handle flaps
563 at the
respective cuts 567 and folding the respective handle flaps 563 downwardly at
the respective fold lines
565 toward the respective openings 430a, 430b such that a user can insert one
or more fingers
therethrough to grasp a portion of the carrier 505, for example, an underside
of the top panel 259 and/or
the attachment panels 531a, 53 lb. The alignment of the handle openings 430a,
430b below the handle
flaps 563 in the erected carrier 505 provides a space through which the user's
fingers can extend below
the top panel 259 into an interior portion of the carrier 505.
[00111]
The configuration of the carrier 505/package 510 provides a compact and robust
holding and
carrying structure for the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, with the
advantages described
above with respect to the carriers 205, 305, 405.
[00112]
Fig. 24 shows a plan view of an exterior side 601 of a blank 603 used to form
a carrier 605 (Fig.
29) in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The
blank 603 and carrier 605
can have one or more features that are substantially similar to those
described above with regard to the
blanks 203, 303, 403, 503 and carriers 205, 305, 405, 505, and like or similar
features are identified
with like or similar reference numerals.
[00113]
The carrier 605 can be sized to contain or support six containers, with three
containers CA1,
CA2, CA3 being attached to a front portion 606 of the carrier 605 and three
containers CB1, CB2, CB3
being attached to a back portion 608 of the carrier 605. In the illustrated
embodiment, the containers
CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be beverage cans, or could be any other
suitable type and size of
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container without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 605 can be sized
and shaped to hold more
or less than six containers. In one embodiment, the front portion 606 and the
back portion 608 of the
carrier 605 each have three containers, and in other embodiments, the front
portion 606 and the back
portion 608 of the carrier 605 can carry more or less than three containers
without departing from the
disclosure. The carrier 605 can be provided together with one or more
containers as a package 610
(Fig. 29).
[00114] As
shown in Figs. 24, 24A, and 24B, the blank 603 has a longitudinal axis Li and
a lateral axis
L2. The blank 603 has a front portion 607 for forming the front portion 606 of
the carrier 605, and a
back portion 609 for forming the back portion 608 of the carrier 605. The
front portion 607 and the
back portion 609 of the blank 603 are foldably connected at a lateral fold
line 612 that forms a lateral
centerline CL of the blank 603, as shown. As discussed further below, the
blank 603 is at least partially
formed into the carrier 605 by folding the blank 603 at the fold line 612
along the centerline CL so that
the front portion 607 and the back portion 609 of the blank 603 are overlapped
in at least partial face-
to-face contact.
[00115] In
the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 607 of the blank 603 comprises a
front central
panel 625a having a front row RF of laterally spaced adhesive or glue openings
627a. The top edges of
the respective glue openings 627a of the row RF are spaced a longitudinal
distance D5 apart from the
fold line 612.
[00116] A
front container retention panel or front attachment panel 631a is foldably
connected to the
front central panel 625a at a lateral fold line 633a, and includes a container
retention portion 635a that
is at least partially defined between a pair of longitudinally-spaced lateral
fold lines 637a, 639a (broadly,
respective "second fold line") that are each interrupted by respective pairs
of longitudinally-spaced cuts
641a that can each include one or more curved and/or angled portions. As
shown, the longitudinally-
spaced cuts 641a define container retention tabs 648a that extend outwardly
from the container retention
portion 635a. As also shown, respective cuts 643a can extend outwardly from
one or more of the
respective cuts 641a to define a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the
front attachment panel 631a
that face the respective container retention tabs 648a.
[00117] As
shown, an interior marginal portion 636a of the attachment panel 631a is
defined between
the fold lines 637a, 633a, and an exterior marginal portion 638a of the
attachment panel 631a is defined
between the fold line 639a and a lateral fold line 671a (broadly, "first fold
line").
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[00118]
The blank 603 can include handle features including a pair of handle openings
630a that
interrupt the fold line 633a and that extend from a portion of the front
central panel 625a into a portion
of the front attachment panel 631a.
[00119]
The blank 603 additionally includes a bevel or front side panel 669a that is
foldably connected
to the front attachment panel 631a at the lateral fold line 671a, and a top
panel 673 that is foldably
connected to the front side panel 669a at a lateral fold line 675a (broadly,
"second fold line").
[00120] As
also shown, the top panel 673 can include further handle features for
cooperating with the
handle features described above. A pair of laterally spaced handle flaps 674
can be foldably connected
to the top panel 673 at respective longitudinal fold lines 676 and can be
defined by respective curved
cuts 678 extending from one end point of the respective fold lines 676 to the
other endpoint of the
respective fold lines 676. Each handle flap 674, as shown, can include a
central portion 670 and a pair
of reinforcement portions 672 foldably connected to the central portion 670 at
a respective line of
weakening 668.
[00121]
With continued reference to Figs. 24, 24A, and 24B, the blank 603/carrier 605
formed
therefrom can be configured to stiffen/inhibit relative movement of portions
of the blank 603/carrier
605 when in use. As shown, a series of laterally-spaced reinforcement
features/reinforcement panels
677a can be positioned interrupting the fold line 675a. Each reinforcement
feature/panel 677a, as
shown, can be a region of the blank 603/carrier 605 between the top panel 673
and the attachment panel
631a and that is defined by lines of weakening 679a extending between
endpoints of segments of the
fold line 675a.
[00122]
The lines of weakening 679a of each reinforcement feature/panel 677a, as
shown, can include
a laterally outer curved segment 681a, a laterally inner curved segment 683a,
and generally oblique
segments 682a, 684a extending from respective endpoints of the curved segment
681a to respective
endpoints of the curved segment 683a. The outer curved segment 681a can have a
radius of curvature
that is larger than a radius of curvature of the inner curved segment 683a
such that each reinforcement
feature/panel 677a can have a generally rhomboid/diamond/triangular/shield
shape. It will be
understood that one or more of the lines of weakening 679a/reinforcement
features/panels 677a can
have one or more different features, e.g., curved/angled/straight longitudinal
and/or lateral portions,
without departing from the disclosure. It will be understood that a different
number and/or arrangement
of the reinforcement features/panels 677a can be provided without departing
from the disclosure. For
example, in one embodiment, the lines of weakening 679a can be devoid of the
inner curved segment
683a such that the segments 682a, 684a intersect the fold line 671a.
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[00123]
Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be
otherwise shaped, arranged,
and/or omitted from the blank 603 without departing from the disclosure. The
blank 603 could be sized
and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than eight containers without
departing from this disclosure.
[00124] In
the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 609 of the blank 603 includes a
back central
panel 625b, the back container retention panel or back attachment panel 63 lb,
and the back bevel or
back side panel 669b having associated features that are generally a mirror-
image of the corresponding
panels and flaps of the front portion 607 of the blank 603. Corresponding
components (e.g., panels,
flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference
numbers that differ by the
"a" or "b" suffix, with the "a" components corresponding to the front portion
607 of the blank 603 and
the "b" components corresponding to the back portion 609 of the blank 603. The
back portion 609 of
the blank 603 includes a back top panel or top attachment flap 685 foldably
connected to the back side
panel 669b at a lateral fold line 675b.
[00125] As
shown, respective glue openings 627b of a back row RB of glue openings 627b
have
respective top edges spaced apart a longitudinal distance D6 from the fold
line 612. In this regard, the
blank 603 is provided with a front row RF of laterally-spaced front glue
openings 627a that are spaced
respective longitudinal distances D5 from the centerline CL, and a back row RB
of laterally-spaced
back glue openings 627b that are spaced respective longitudinal distances D6
from the centerline CL.
The glue openings 627a, 627b have a longitudinally staggered arrangement such
that D6 > D5. Upon
formation of the carrier 605 from the blank 603, the longitudinal centerline
CL/fold line 612 can form
a bottom edge of the central panels 625a, 625b.
[00126] As
described herein, the arrangement of the glue openings 627a, 627b is such
that, upon
erection of the carrier 605, the glue openings 627a, 627b provide access to a
respective plurality of
surfaces of the respective central panels 625b, 625a upon which the respective
containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached to enhance retention and support of the
containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 by the carrier 605.
[00127]
Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be
otherwise shaped, arranged,
and/or omitted from the blank 603 without departing from the disclosure. The
blank 603 could be sized
and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than four containers without
departing from this disclosure.
[00128]
Referring additionally to Figs. 25-29, according to one exemplary embodiment
of the
disclosure, the carrier 605 can be formed by placing the exterior surface 601
of the blank 603 atop the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that the container retention
portion 635a of the front
attachment panel 631a overlies the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and such that the
container retention
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portion 635b of the back attachment panel 631b overlies the containers CB1,
CB2, CB3. Further
downward positioning of the attachment panels 631a, 63 lb over the plurality
of containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can activate the respective container retention portions
635a, 635b to engage
respective containers.
[00129]
For example, as the front attachment panel 631a is lowered or urged downwardly
onto the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, the container retention portion 635a can at least
partially separate from the
remainder of the front attachment panel 631a at the cuts 641a. In such an
arrangement, upper or top
portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can extend at least
partially through respective
openings formed by the respective cuts 641a such that the container retention
tabs 648a can engage, for
example, a recessed portion of a rim or other top structure of the respective
container CA1, CA2, CA3,
and such that a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the marginal portions
636a, 638a can engage, for
example, a rolled rim edge or other top structure of the respective container
CA1, CA2, CA3.
[00130]
Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the back attachment
panel 63 lb can
occur as the back attachment panel 63 lb is lowed or urged downwardly onto the
containers CB1, CB2,
CB3. During the above-described engagement of the respective container
retention portions 635a, 635b
with the respective containers, the marginal portions 636a, 638a of the
attachment panel 631a can fold
at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 637a, 639a in such
a configuration, and,
similarly, the marginal portions 636b, 638b of the attachment panel 631b can
fold at least partially
downwardly at the respective fold lines 637b, 639b.
[00131]
Thereafter, the front central panel 625a and the back central panel 625b can
be folded at the
fold line 612 such that the front central panel 625a and the back central
panel 625b are brought into at
least partial face-to-face contact to be positioned between respective
adjacent containers and such that
the respective glue openings 627a, 627b are positioned so as to be laterally
aligned but longitudinally
offset due to the different relative spacing of the rows RF of the front glue
openings 627a and the row
RB of the back glue openings 627b away from the fold line 612 as described
above.
[00132] In
this regard, the central panels 625a, 625b are arranged such that a portion of
the front central
panel 625a overlaps each of the glue openings 627b and a portion of the back
central panel 625b
overlaps each of the glue openings 627a to provide communication between the
central panels 625a,
625b and respective surfaces upon which the respective containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3
can be adhered or otherwise attached, as described further herein. Such
rearrangement of the central
panels 625a, 625b can also cause the respective central panels 625a, 625b to
be folded downwardly
relative to the respective attachment panels 631a, 63 lb at the respective
fold lines 633a, 633b.
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[00133] It
will be understood that an adhesive glue, e.g., glue G (Fig. 24) can be
provided to adhere the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to respective portions of the central panel 625b
exposed through the
respective glue openings 627a, and the glue can be provided to adhere the
containers CB1, CB2, CB3
to respective portions of the central panel 625a exposed through the
respective glue openings 627b.
The arrangement of multiple rows of respective glue openings 627a, 627b
provides multiple points of
attachment of each respective container to the respective opposite central
panel 625a, 625b such that
each container is provided with a robust attachment to a respective central
panel 625a, 625b. The
attachment of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, and containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to
the respective central
panel 625a, 625b can provide retention and support of the respective
containers, e.g., such that the
containers do not detach from the carrier 605 under their own weight, in
addition to or alternative to the
container retention and support provided by the respective container retention
portions 635a, 635b. For
example, in one embodiment, one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3 can be
attached to a respective central panel 625a, 625b with glue G, without
additional retention and support
provided by a container retention portion as described above.
[00134]
The glue described herein can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive, a high
tack glue, an epoxy,
a polymeric cement, etc., or combinations thereof. The glue can have a
different arrangement without
departing from the disclosure. In another embodiment, the glue G can have a
foam or foamed
configuration, e.g., such that pockets of fluids such as gas are interspersed
with solid, semi-solid, and/or
liquid components of adhesive. In this regard, the glue G can be
injected/infused with a fluid, e.g.,
gaseous, component that influences the glue G to expand from an originally-
defmed volume, over a
change in time, to occupy a larger volume. In one embodiment, the glue G can
comprise about 50%
solid/semi-solid/liquid adhesive and about 50% gaseous components.
[00135] In
other embodiments, the glue G can comprise a different ratio of adhesive to
gaseous
components, for example, about 10% adhesive/about 90% gaseous components,
about 20%
adhesive/about 80% gaseous components, about 30% adhesive/about 70% gaseous
components, about
40% adhesive/about 60% gaseous components, about 60% adhesive/about 40%
gaseous components,
about 70% adhesive/about 30% gaseous components, about 80% adhesive/about 20%
gaseous
components, about 90% adhesive/about 10% gaseous components, or other integer
or non-integer
percentage ratios therebetween. The glue G can be any suitable adhesive
without departing from the
disclosure.
[00136]
Such enhanced attachment of the respective containers to the respective
central panels 625a,
625b with the glue can also provide enhanced integrity to the carrier 605,
e.g., by providing opposing
adhesive forces on the respective central panels 625a, 625b such that the
central panels 625a, 625b are
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compressed therebetween. For example, in one embodiment, as the carrier 605 is
lifted, the containers
CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least partially pull the portions of the back central
panel 625b to which they are
attached through the respective glue openings 627a toward the front central
panel 625a under the at
least partial weight of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3. Respective portions of
the front central panel
625a can be pulled toward the back central panel 625b through the respective
glue openings 627b by
the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a similar manner.
[00137]
Still referring to Figs. 25-29, the front side panel 669a can be folded
upwardly at the fold line
671a and the top panel 673 can be folded at the fold line 675a into at least
partial face-to-face contact
with at least a portion of the attachment panels 631a, 63 lb. Similarly, the
back side panel 669b can be
folded upwardly at the fold line 67 lb and the attachment flap 685 can be
folded at the fold line 675b
into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel 673 and/or the
attachment panel 43 lb. Such
an arrangement can be maintained with an adhesive such as glue.
[00138] In
embodiments in which the attachment flap 685 at least partially overlaps the
top panel 673,
such an arrangement can facilitate alignment of the edges thereof and/or
printed graphics thereon so as
to obviate further steps of manipulating the top panel 673 and the attachment
flap 685 relative to one
another, for example, as compared to an arrangement in which the attachment
flap 685 and top panel
673 are positioned in an abutting relation. Such an arrangement can also
maintain clean lines and edges
of the carrier 605/package 610 and/or minimize the exposure of interior
portions of the carrier
605/package 610 to a user, e.g., an interior surface of the blank 603.
[00139]
Upon folding of the top panel 673 at the fold line 675a, the laterally curved
outer segments
681a of the respective reinforcement features/panels 677a can engage, e.g.,
contour, abut, etc.,
respective rolled rim edges or other top structures of the respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3. In this
regard, the laterally curved outer segments 681a of the respective lines of
weakening 679a can provide
points at which the top panel 673 can pivot, e.g., in a lever action, about
the rims of the respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to facilitate folding of the top panel 673 at the
fold line 675a.
[00140]
Furthermore, the interruption of the fold line 675a provided by the presence
of the laterally
curved outer segments 681a can reduce the amount of time and/or force required
to fold the top panel
673 in the manner described above. Accordingly, machine/forming operations can
be streamlined. In
one embodiment, one or more of the lines of weakening/fold lines associated
with the blank 603/carrier
605 can be reduced in profile, e.g., length, width, depth, continuity, etc.,
as compared to, for example,
a carrier/package devoid of the reinforcement features/panels 677a.
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[00141]
Similarly, the folding of the attachment flap 685 at the fold line 675b can be
facilitated by the
presence of the laterally curved outer segments 681b of the respective
reinforcement features/panels
677b and the engagement thereof with the respective rims of the containers
CB1, CB2, CB3 as described
above with regard to the folding of the top panel 673.
[00142]
Furthermore, the reinforcement features/panels 677a, 677b are presented in an
outward-facing
arrangement relative to the attachment panels 631a, 63 lb, top panel 675, and
attachment flap 685 so
as to form a generally upright/vertical structure that further
minimizes/resists bending, buckling,
flexion, torsion, etc. of the carrier 605/package 610 relative to a plane
defined by the top panel
675/attachment flap 685 and/or the attachment panels 631a, 631b, e.g., such
that the carrier 605/package
610 minimizes/resists such forces/movement along both the longitudinal axis Li
and the lateral axis
L2.
[00143] In
order to engage the carrier 605/package 610, the respective handle flaps 674
can be at least
partially separated from the top panel 673 at the respective cuts 678, and
folded or flexed downwardly
at the respective fold lines 676 into an interior portion of the carrier
605/package 610 through the
respective handle openings 630a, 630b. The handle openings 630a, 630b provide
clearance for the
handle flaps 674 to extend downwardly in such an arrangement. In one
embodiment, one or both of the
handle flaps 674 can be provided with a reconfigurable arrangement, for
example, so as to contour or
angle against one or more of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3, e.g., such that
at least a central portion of the respective handle flaps 474 can be
positioned between adjacent
containers.
[00144] In
one embodiment, the reinforcement portions 672 of the respective handle flaps
674 can at
least partially wrap around/fold at the respective lines of weakening 677 or
surround a consumer's
finger, for example, to minimize or prevent contact of the consumer's finger
with edges or corners of
the carrier 605/package 610 and/or the respective containers.
[00145]
With additional reference to Fig. 30, upon formation of the package
610/carrier 605, a
respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be removed from the
carrier 605 by
disengaging the container from a respective attachment panel 631a, 631b, for
example, by withdrawing
the top portion T of a respective container through an opening formed by a
respective cut 641a, 64 lb
along the respective attachment panel 631a, 63 lb, and peeling the respective
container away from the
respective central panel 625a, 625b. Peeling or pulling the containers CA1,
CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2,
CB3 away from a respective central panel 625a, 625b can involve pulling the
respective container with
a force sufficient to overcome the adhesive bond of the respective container
and the respective central
panel 625a, 625b provided by the glue G. In one embodiment, the glue can be
selected so as to remain
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on a respective central panel 625a, 625b, e.g., such that substantially little
or no glue remains on the
container as it is removed. One or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3, in one
embodiment, can be reattached to a respective central panel 625a, 625b
following therefrom by pressing
the container against a respective region of glue.
[00146]
The carrier 605/package 610 can have a different configuration without
departing from the
disclosure, and it will be understood that any of the blanks, carriers, and
packages described herein can
be provided in different configurations without departing from the disclosure.
[00147] It
will be understood that the blanks and carriers described herein can be
provided in different
configurations without departing from the disclosure.
[00148] In
general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that
it is heavier
and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other
materials, such as
cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the
carrier to function at least
generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a
clay coating. The clay
coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other
information or images. The blanks
may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the
blanks. The blanks may also
be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides
of the blanks. The blanks
can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at
selected panels or panel
sections.
[00149] As
an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the
material along the
desired line of weakness, arid/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend
partially into and/or completely
through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various
combinations of these features. As
a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of
spaced apart slits that extend
completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart
slightly so that a nick (e.g., a
small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the
adjacent slits for typically
temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken
during tearing along the
tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear
line, and alternatively the
nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a
continuous cut line. That is,
it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to
be replaced with a continuous
slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could
be wider than a slit without
departing from the present disclosure.
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[00150] In
accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any
substantially linear,
although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding
therealong. More
specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present
disclosure, fold lines include:
a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like,
which creates a crushed or
depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut
that extends partially into a
material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that
extend partially into and/or
completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and
various combinations of these
features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically
the cutting will not be overly
extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly
consider the fold line to be a
tear line.
[00151]
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered
together by
glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term "glue" is intended
to encompass all manner
of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.
[00152]
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various
exemplary
embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to
the exemplary
embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It
is intended that all matter
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall
be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows
and describes only selected
embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various
other combinations,
modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications
within the scope of the
inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings,
and/or within the skill
or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and
characteristics of each embodiment
may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-
illustrated embodiments of the
disclosure.
33
